Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao meets with his Australian counterpart Julia Gillard in Hanoi, Vietnam

On October 30, 2010, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with his Australian counterpart Julia Gillard in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Wen said Australia is a major power in the Asia-Pacific region and an important cooperative partner to China. He said closer and efficient bilateral ties are in the fundamental interests of the two countries and are conducive to regional peace and prosperity.

The two countries should maintain high-level contacts, boost strategic dialogue and strengthen political mutual trust, Wen said. He called for efforts to maintain and boost mutually beneficial cooperation in the sectors of energy and resources and expand cooperation in clean energy, energy conservation and environment protection in a bid to promote sustainable development. Wen also said the two sides should continue to push forward free trade agreement talks in a positive, pragmatic, balanced and mutually beneficial spirit and expand exchanges in culture, education, tourism and press in order to enhance mutual understanding and friendship. The two countries should also strengthen communication and coordination within the framework of the United Nations and the Group of 20 (G20) to promote peace and development of the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large.

Congratulating China on the success of the Shanghai Expo, Gillard said bilateral relations have been deepening in recent years and that bilateral economic and trade cooperation enjoys a strong growth momentum. China has become the biggest trading partner to Australia. She said Australia would adhere steadfastly to the one-China policy and the new government of Australia would try to further promote the development of bilateral ties. Australia is willing to maintain high-level contacts, push for progress in free trade agreement talks and expand economic and trade cooperation. Gillard also invited Chinese enterprises to invest in Australia. Gillard said Australia is willing to enhance cooperation with China within multilateral mechanisms such as the G20 in an attempt to promote strong, sustainable and balanced growth of the global economy.